Greatest sunglasses wearers of all time
Post on 19th June 2017
Style icon Audrey Hepburn has put others in the shade by topping a poll of greatest sunglasses wearers of all time.
Enduring greats Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Marilyn Monroe were also named among the best wearers of shades in new research.
Contemporary figures to appear in the top 30 include such names as Ryan Gosling, Cara Delevingne and Lady Gaga plus Victoria and David Beckham.
Hollywood legends, James Dean, Steve McQueen and Marlon Brando also feature among the greatest ever sunglasses wearers.
We commissioned a survey of 2,000 UK adults and found over half consider sunglasses to be the coolest fashion accessory.
Marketing manager, Gemma Bradnack, said: “For many people sunglasses are the go-to item if you want to look cool.
“There have been so many big names to have adorned shades, so we thought it would be interesting to see which ones people consider wear them the best.
“The list includes a fascinating mix of people from different eras – many of whom wore different types of sunglasses, which perhaps shows how versatile sunglasses can be.”
Two thirds of respondents believe sunglasses make people look instantly more stylish and almost half consider shades to be the must have fashion accessory.
The most stylish type of sunglasses are aviators according to those polled – with black lenses and black frames considered to be the most fashionable.
While respondents reckon the sixties is the most iconic decade for sunglasses.
Cinematic icons, Tom Cruise and Elizabeth Taylor also appear in the list – joined by fellow stars of screen, Leonardo Di Caprio and Johnny Depp.
Arnold Schwarzenegger in his role as The Terminator features too, in addition to John Belushi in The Blues Brothers.
While Susan Sarandon in Thelma & Louise and Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver also make it into the list.
Music legends David Bowie, George Michael, Lou Reed – and Roy Orbison appear in the top 30 too, alongside current recording artists, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and will.i.am.
Forty per cent of people have found someone in sunglasses attractive – only to change their mind once the individual removed their shades.
Over a quarter of UK adults wear prescription sunglasses – in excess of 12.8 million people – and on average they will spend £135.55 on a new pair.
Gemma Bradnack added: “Our research shows that sunglasses are considered a vital style accessory for both men and women, but they do also serve a purpose.
“Prolonged exposure to UV light can contribute to a number of eye health conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts. And just like the skin, tissues in the eye are susceptible to cancerous melanomas.
“When choosing your shades, you don’t have to choose style over substance. We would urge anyone to seek styles that not only carry the ‘CE Mark’ and British Standard (BS EN 1836:1997), but also have a UV 400 label, guaranteeing 100% protection.”
GREATEST SUNGLASSES WEARERS OF ALL-TIME – TOP 30:
1. Audrey Hepburn
2. Elvis Presley
3. Marlon Brando
4. Brigitte Bardot
5. John Lennon
6. Jackie Onassis
7. Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Terminator movies
8. Ryan Gosling
9. Tom Cruise
10. Steve McQueen
11. George Michael
12. Marilyn Monroe
13. James Dean
14. Elizabeth Taylor
15. Leonardo DiCaprio
16. Roy Orbison
17. David Beckham
18. Victoria Beckham
19. Katy Perry
20. Taylor Swift
21. Johnny Depp
22. David Bowie
23. Susan Sarandon in Thelma & Louise
24. Cara Delevingne
25. Lady Gaga
26. John Belushi in Blues Brothers
27. Will Smith
28. will i am
29. Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver
30. Lou Reed